For 40 years, Saratoga was an annual pilgrimage for retired horse racing trainer John Parisella. This year, however, the 79-year-old Long Island resident, like many other racing fans, could not make the trip. “It’s a special place to me, in my heart,” Parisella reflected, his voice tinged with sadness at the thought of Saratoga without its usual crowds. He had often brought his stepdaughter, Bethenny Frankel of Real Housewives fame, and his daughter, Gabby Vaughan, to the racetrack when they were young. These visits left a lasting impression, with Frankel recalling Saratoga as her “very favorite” childhood memory in one of her books. His daughter fondly remembers their outings, recently texting Parisella about missing their tradition of visiting the Wishing Well and sitting in their usual box.
Parisella’s life has been intertwined with a constellation of stars, a world he was introduced to through his uncle, who managed Don Rickles. He shares these anecdotes in his memoir, Trainer to the Stars, co-authored by Denny Dressman. While he encountered many celebrities, Parisella maintains a humble demeanor, stating, “I’m not the kind of guy who’s like, ‘Oh, boy, you’re so and so.’ They found me entertaining.”
Encounters with Icons
Parisella’s career placed him in the company of entertainment legends, athletes, and fellow New Yorkers, forging unique bonds and memorable moments.
Ángel Cordero Jr.
“I love him,” Parisella says of Ángel Cordero Jr., who was his primary jockey at Saratoga. “He did most of my riding for me in Saratoga.” Even now, Cordero sends Parisella videos of his wins on Parisella’s horses, a gesture the former trainer finds “so special.” Despite a two-year age difference, Cordero affectionately calls Parisella “Papa.”
Johnny Carson
The moniker “Trainer to the Stars” was bestowed upon Parisella on The Tonight Show. However, one of his most cherished memories occurred backstage. “I was sitting with Jimmy Stewart getting my makeup on,” Parisella recalls, “and I said to him, ‘What am I doing sitting next to you—you’re an icon!’” Stewart, whom Parisella describes as a “quiet, conservative guy, so nice,” simply replied, “No, no, no.”
Don Rickles
The comedian Don Rickles, Parisella’s uncle’s client, frequently teased Parisella about his uncle. “He was always being funny, busting my chops,” Parisella remembers. In tribute, Parisella named a horse after the comedian. Don Rickles, the horse, achieved success, winning his maiden race and placing in the prestigious Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. Rickles, the comedian, however, remained, as Parisella noted in the book, “too cheap” to invest in any of his own horses.
James Caan
Parisella lived with actor James Caan in Beverly Hills for a period. “It was a fun time,” he says. Caan, an avid horse lover, had Parisella train for him in New York. The actor’s presence at the track always created a stir, with “everybody would go crazy when he walked in, especially the women.”
Mickey Mantle
While Mickey Mantle wasn’t deeply passionate about horse racing, he enjoyed hearing Parisella’s racing stories. “People love horse stories,” Parisella explains. He likens it to his own enthusiasm for football; when meeting a football player, he’d want to discuss football, but they’d often prefer to hear horse tales. This dynamic played out with Mantle, the baseball legend, as they “hung out a lot together.”
Frank Sinatra
“He would always say, ‘Us Italians have to stick together,’” Parisella recalls of Frank Sinatra. Though not a racing enthusiast, Sinatra once asked Parisella to accompany his mother to Santa Anita racetrack, a request Parisella happily fulfilled. “She loved it,” he said.
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino holds a significant place in Parisella’s life as his daughter’s godfather. “He was a huge horse owner and one of the best friends I’ve ever had,” Parisella states. He has named numerous horses after Pitino and his teams. Their closeness was such that Pitino, then coaching the Knicks, would save Parisella a seat at the games.
Hugh Hefner
Parisella’s experience with Hugh Hefner was less favorable. “The biggest egomaniac I ever met,” he declared. Parisella recounts being ejected from the Playboy Mansion and subsequently barred because he was perceived to have been talking too long with Hefner’s girlfriend, Barbi Benton, during Hefner’s own arrival.
Howard Stern
In contrast to many other celebrities, Parisella found Howard Stern to be “obnoxious and arrogant,” labeling him as one of the few people he’s met in life with such characteristics. Parisella sold his house to Stern but chose to cease contact afterward, a decision he initiated.
Bono
“Bono is all class,” Parisella says. Bono’s favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. Parisella had the opportunity to take Bono backstage at a charity event in Las Vegas where Don Rickles was opening for Sinatra. The following year, Bono and Sinatra collaborated on Sinatra’s first duet album.
John Parisella’s memoir, Trainer to the Stars, offers a compelling look into a life lived amidst the glamour of horse racing and the allure of Hollywood. His ability to connect with and recount his experiences with such a diverse range of famous personalities highlights a unique chapter in his extraordinary life. The book can be found at Northshire Bookstore and online at northshire.com.
